AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fatherhood suits him, softens the hard edges I’ve seen in him. It’s a side of Levi I never knew existed, and it tugs at something deep within me, curiosity mixed with admiration.
And surprise. Always surprise with Levi.
Amelia’s tiny hand wraps around the string of a pink heart balloon, her eyes lighting up. She glances from the balloon to me, then back again.
“Can you come with us?” she asks, her voice a hopeful lilt that makes it impossible to look away.
I hesitate. The plan is to work the booth, not play chaperone. But one look at her eager face and my resolve wavers.
“Please?” Amelia tugs at Levi’s hand, her other still gripping the balloon string.
Levi looks between his daughter and me, conflict etching lines on his forehead. “I don’t know, Amelia…” he starts but doesn’t finish.
“Come on, Daddy. It’ll be fun!” Amelia bounces on the balls of her feet, the balloon bobbing above her.
“Can you?” Levi’s question is for me, his eyes searching, asking more than what’s on the surface.
“Sure. Why not?” I answer, my words more reckless than I feel.
Levi nods, a reluctant smile creeping onto his face. He’s cautious, protective.
“Yay!” Amelia claps, grabbing my hand with her free one. Her small fingers are warm and trusting.
“First ride?” Levi asks, a note of amusement in his tone as we start walking.
“Carousel!” Amelia pulls us forward, skipping ahead.
We weave through the crowd, past colorful booths and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy. The carousel music grows louder, inviting. Amelia rushes toward her chosen steed, a prancing white horse with golden reins. Levi helps her up before looking over at me.
“Joining us?” He raises an eyebrow, half challenge, half tease.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say, swinging onto the horse next to Amelia’s.
The ride swirls into motion, lights blurring, music swirling with laughter. Amelia waves each time we pass Levi, who stands by the fence, phone out, capturing the moment.
“Again!” Amelia cries out as the ride slows. And so we go again.
Later, we try game booths. Levi wins Amelia a giant blue bear at the ring toss. His throw is precise, effortless. The stuffed animal is almost as big as she is, but she hugs it tight, declaring it needs a friend for the pink balloon.
“Your turn.” Levi hands me a ring.
“Watch and learn,” I tease, tossing it—clumsy, laughing when it lands nowhere near a bottle.
“Guess I’m better with balloons.” I shrug, and Levi chuckles, a rich sound that warms me more than the afternoon sun.
We eat greasy pizza slices on paper plates, and share a mountain of cotton candy that turns our tongues blue. Amelia tells stories about school, about her friends. Levi listens, interjects with questions, his attention never wavering from his daughter.
“Best day ever!” Amelia declares, mouth smeared with sugar, snuggling between us on a bench.
“Best day,” Levi agrees, and though he’s looking at Amelia, I feel like he’s speaking to me too.
I scoop up a handful of dimes, taking aim at the old-fashioned arcade game. The discs clink and clatter, bouncing off the metal backdrop. Amelia squeals beside me, her own coins dancing across the platform.
“Almost!” she encourages, her eyes tracking every movement with childlike wonder.
“Let me give it a shot,” Levi says, stepping up to the line with an easy confidence.
He flicks his wrist, one dime after another sliding into the slots with satisfying pings. Prizes drop down the chute, and Amelia collects them, her laughter bubbling over.
